A Multivariate Analysis of Excessive Alcohol Use Involving Labeling and Self-Constructs

Abstract

Previous studies have focused on predicting whether or not a person is likely to become a problem drinker, but have not employed concepts explaining the process whereby excessive alcohol use emerges. It is proposed that labeling concepts, in combination with a multidimensional conceptualization of the general self-concept, provide the components of a model capable of explaining this process. Automatic Interaction Detector permitted an assessment of the contingent relationships among the labeling and self-variables. The findings indicated that the influence of the alcoholic labels of others on self-views and drinking behaviors hinged on self-esteem and self-complexity.